Big Tipping Tourist

[andyc2006]

I think by asking, you are already answering the question...

I dislike tipping more and more, and consequently; tipping less and less.

Especially when 10% service is added to the bill, a forced tip, even if the service paid for was poor or non-existing. I like to chose when to tip, and I gladly tip if I feel it is warrented.

As for your friend, this type of moronic behaviour should be discouraged. For him in his home country 20 Baht may not be much, but here it will buy you a meal. I have seen idiots tipping the young boys at Foodland Pattaya 100 Baht to carry groceries to their car. Go figure...

I agree. This type of behaviour should be discouraged.

Why?

Because it puts pressure on the rest of us, to tip as well. Tip more. And tip when the service is sub-standard and outright, poor.

Not everyone has the money to tip, and tip a lot more than the norm.

Tips are now expected, no matter what the conditions.

Why should he care if you're too weak to deal with the tipping peer pressure? That's probably why you don't have the money to tip -- character flaws.

If you don't want to tip, don't tip. Get a spine on the peer pressure front.

It's not your business what other people do with their money.

[andyc2006]

Sure, many things are cheaper in Thailand, but if you start to overpay, then this difference will be become smaller.

If my spending habits make life tough for you, I call that "YOUR problem."

My money, my choice.

Don't like the way life works? Earn more money. Or go whine on the Internet.

Oh, I see which path you chose.

[andyc2006]

I'd say it's the people who give huge tips that are too concerned what other people think of them.

I can't speak for the others, but I can tell you that my experience in Thailand is that "big tippers" are routinely attacked and completely vilified by other farangs who think it's their business what another guy tips.

If I gave a dam_n what guys like you thought of me, I'd either not tip big or keep it a secret. Want to know how much I'm concerned about what you think of me? Any guesses?

[andyc2006]

~~~

Wealth is distributed disproportionately throughout the world. For many reasons...many of them not "fair" by the Western sense of fairness.

Tipping is one way for people, i.e., individuals, on the higher end of the income stick to "even the scales" a bit.

That said, if I choose to tip, not tip, or to be extra generous with my tip, it is my business, and my business alone. If you choose not to tip, that's your business.

There is no "right" answer to this conundrum.

IMHO, the OP ought to just smile and let his friend do what he pleases...he's happy, the person who receives the "windfall' is happy, and life goes on...

~~~

Beautiful attitude.

The next time the powers that be in Thailand attempt to muck with the visa rules, I hope they're successful at keeping people with your attitude around, and doubly successful at extricating the guys in Thailand who feel they have some right to tell another guy what to tip.

[andyc2006]

If there are enough rich farangs here tipping and that annoys others, maybe the poor farangs should think of moving to somewhere cheaper.

I hope they will but they're not doing it quickly enough -- I think it's the easily-available sex that's causing them to go out kicking and screaming like little crying babies.

[andyc2006]

It's all fine for those tourists who have plenty of holiday money to splash around

Yes, it is fine for me.

but it does no good at all for those of us who are resident in Thailand trying to make ends meet.

Sucks to be you. I wonder what you could do to address your dilemma? Oh, I know, instead of making more money, why not go online and cry about the rich bastards oppressing you?

[cobra]

I always tend to over-tip, and it's not to appear superior or de-value the receiver, (and I've never got the impression one receiving a huge tip felt slighted or other),

If you can afford to, and you are overly generous, feel you have a karma deficit, what ever, that's one's own business. It's the cheap charlie's that have the biggest problem with it, as it contrasts their cheapness.

I look at it as an indirect service agreement, with intangibles such as:

there will always be a table for you,

you'll receive express service, maybe left items will be stored / returned to you,

and of course, like Cheers, everyone knows your name and is happy to see you.

Again, over-tipping does not insult, (the usual refrain from cheap wanke_rs),

[bendix]

Sucks to be you. I wonder what you could do to address your dilemma? Oh, I know, instead of making more money, why not go online and cry about the rich bastards oppressing you?

I like the cut of your cloth. Are you trying to out-bendix me by any chance?

[Jingthing]

Again, over-tipping does not insult

Actually it most certainly does in certain cultures and certain situations where it is not customary to tip.

[thomo]

What is the opinion of the folks reading this?

You've too much time on yer hands.

Which isn't all bad.

[game4shame]

He once tipped 1000 baht to a food vendor who chased him down a soi to return him a bag of goods he had purchased and had left behind at her stall. The cost of the goods he had forgotten was about fifty baht.

I've just read this again. slight misunderstanding with regards to my previous posts.

I thought the 1000B tip was for food - like, a quick bowl of fried rice or something.

Edited November 27, 2007 by game4shame

[blizzard]

actually in some cases thais think they should be tipped for doing nothing. i give cocktail waitress 60 baht for servicng me the others around think they should get tipped too...........lol.

i having beeen a tpped employee never expected a tip for just being there............lol.

[Jingthing]

actually in some cases thais think they should be tipped for doing nothing. i give cocktail waitress 60 baht for servicng me the others around think they should get tipped too...........lol.

i having beeen a tpped employee never expected a tip for just being there............lol.

Creeping socialism?

[MeaMaximaCulpa]

Do you tip or not in this case?

I know this (and a parallel) thread is getting a bit tired, but I would like to add this:

Today UBC (True I think it is called these days) came to fix a problem that was not at all their fault, rather it was my landlady's workers putting up an awning, thereby damaging the UBC cable.

When finished the successful repair, I asked how much? The guy said "it is free". "Are you sure?"

"Yes!" and off he went, not at all lingering for a tip.

Now I feel guilty for not running after him and forcing 200B on him.

NOT!

I have been called various names and it has been implied that I am a Cheap Charlie or a pauper for not tipping in the hundreds of Bahts. Oh well, I do tip, and generously, when deemed correct.

Now what is your take on this situation? Should I have tipped this guy, who very obviously was not expecting a tip?

Bendix and Guesthouse need not reply. If you can only get good service by overtipping, I pity you both.

[blizzard]

tip not necessary! unless he brought you pizza too.

[MeaMaximaCulpa]

He didn't actually! Bugger him. I shall complain to UBC.

Next time I want double cheese on my pizza!

Mods, why not merge the two tipping threads, one here, one in Pattaya forum.

We might be in for some more fun when the big boyz get going...

[tijnebijn]

He didn't actually! Bugger him. I shall complain to UBC.

Next time I want double cheese on my pizza!

Mods, why not merge the two tipping threads, one here, one in Pattaya forum.

We might be in for some more fun when the big boyz get going...

Fun can get on serious playground on here .

Especially when they try to force the mods to close the topic and

eventually get banned , happened to many .

[MeaMaximaCulpa]

I'm not sure I understand what you mean.

I want to continue the discussion, but better in one thread.

If that is so difficult to understand, perhaps PM me, and I will explain.

[koheesti]

Hey Rice_King, while I admire your friends attitude to help the needy ones, may I suggest another way of doing this:

Suggest to him to tip "normally" (whatever that means) and if he feels like doing some charity, I would be happy to suggest a few organizations who really do help the poor, uneducated, sick people in Thailand.

Of course, this kind of charity and anonymous donations doesn't make you a big guy, because usually nobody will know, except yourself.

I'd rather give directly to a person. That way I know 100% goes to him/her and not only 20% because aminstrative costs, etc ate up 80%.

[blizzard]

im nottoo sure but i dont tink they dont want us having fun here!

[zink]

above avarage service above avarage tip is justified.

I strongly disagree. I wonder why some people think that a big tip should be automatically included? You are already paying for the "average service" when you pay the "list price"! In Thailand I rougly apply the following:

- poor service: no tip, or very small tip

- average service: small tip (max 5%)

- above average service: average tip (5-10%)

- really, really, great service: above average tip (10-15%)

Above applies to situation where "service charge" isn't included in the bill. When there is a service charge, I don't tip anything (unless the service has been, really, really great).

BTW, I like China's tipping policy, it's plain and simple: NO tipping anywhere!

% wise isnt always correct, IMO.

today had a haircut. cost 50 B, gave 10B tip. so, guy is happy, genuine. anyway, he always cut my hair when in thailand. all cost 2$.

at my country pay around 10$, tip 1$. cost together around 11$=340B.

the tip was still a 1/3, haircut the same. but if i only look %, 20% tip. WOW!

I rather look moneywise in this case, doesnt cost much. Call it my charity

I agree, I forgot to mention in my post that % depends on the value of the service. For example in cheap and good restaurant I might leave a bigger tip in terms of percents, in more expensive restaraunt tip-% can be smaller (the actual tip would still be bigger).

[zink]

I have a friend who visits Thailand for 6 months of the year. My friend has a very good retirement and is certainly not hurting for money. So, while he is here in LOS, he makes sure that the local staff and service people whom he comes into contact with are very well compensated. Actually, "very well compensated" is probably an understatement.

As an example of his generosity, I will relate what transpired today at a buffet lunch. My friend ordered a mixed drink while my gf and I drank the water provided. The wait staff delivered my friend's mixed drink and kept our water glasses full. They didn't bring us any food, as it was a buffet, we helped ourselves. At the end of the meal my friend settled the food bill which amounted to 520 baht. Despite my objections, his tip amounted to over 300 baht.

This is quite typical behavior for him. He once tipped 1000 baht to a food vendor who chased him down a soi to return him a bag of goods he had purchased and had left behind at her stall. The cost of the goods he had forgotten was about fifty baht.

Whenever I chastise him, he shrugs it off by saying, "I can't take it with me." Or, "They need it more than I do."

What is the opinion of the folks reading this? Do you think that this is acceptable behavior for someone who has "money to throw around? What possible harm could come from my friend's generosity? Or is there another aspect of this that I am overlooking? What are the repercussions, if any, of over-tipping to such a degree?

Its all relative..a 1000 baht note to one person is the same as a 10 baht coin to others, in terms of disposable funds.

I know a guy in LOS who could burn 100K baht a day just off the net interest in his bank account(free money).

What disposable funds have to do with tipping? Do rich people pay 100 baht for a can of coke at 7/11? Why they should pay 500 baht for a 100 baht beach massage?

If you have a lot of money to spend, wouldn't it make more sense to spend that money on special and more expensive things, instead of just wasting it by overpaying for basic things?

One poster mentioned giving extra tips to "honest" taxi drivers (i.e. the one which are doing their jobs). Taxis are called "taxi-METER" for a reason, I don't see any reason to give a extra tip for driver that is doing his job by turning on the meter. If the driver refuses to turn a meter right away, then it's actually a good reason to not to leave any tip.

[andyc2006]

Now what is your take on this situation? Should I have tipped this guy, who very obviously was not expecting a tip?

Up to you, your money, do with it what you please.

Now my question to you: had I (or another member) written the same story as you, and then said that we tipped the guy 200 baht, how many losers do you think would reply crying that "you're ruining Thailand" and/or "I can't compete with that, don't tip them or they'll expect it from me too?" How many losers would insist on telling some other guy how (not) to spend his money?

Edited November 27, 2007 by ajc1970

[andyc2006]

Sucks to be you. I wonder what you could do to address your dilemma? Oh, I know, instead of making more money, why not go online and cry about the rich bastards oppressing you?

I like the cut of your cloth. Are you trying to out-bendix me by any chance?

Bendix? You sound like Mr. Burns to me.

[meemiathai]

Do you tip or not in this case?

I know this (and a parallel) thread is getting a bit tired, but I would like to add this:

Today UBC (True I think it is called these days) came to fix a problem that was not at all their fault, rather it was my landlady's workers putting up an awning, thereby damaging the UBC cable.

When finished the successful repair, I asked how much? The guy said "it is free". "Are you sure?"

"Yes!" and off he went, not at all lingering for a tip.

Now I feel guilty for not running after him and forcing 200B on him.

NOT!

I have been called various names and it has been implied that I am a Cheap Charlie or a pauper for not tipping in the hundreds of Bahts. Oh well, I do tip, and generously, when deemed correct.

Now what is your take on this situation? Should I have tipped this guy, who very obviously was not expecting a tip?

Bendix and Guesthouse need not reply. If you can only get good service by overtipping, I pity you both.

I don't believe it! Are you sure you did not lose something like a Rolex or ...?

[meemiathai]

Now what is your take on this situation? Should I have tipped this guy, who very obviously was not expecting a tip?

Up to you, your money, do with it what you please.

Now my question to you: had I (or another member) written the same story as you, and then said that we tipped the guy 200 baht, how many losers do you think would reply crying that "you're ruining Thailand" and/or "I can't compete with that, don't tip them or they'll expect it from me too?" How many losers would insist on telling some other guy how (not) to spend his money?

Exactly!

I bet some losers are even going to ask the guy for a cigarette!

[MeaMaximaCulpa]

I try not to quote, but to make this reply meaningful, I have to (many, myself included, will still think it is not meaningful. But whatever, got to fill the day with something...)

"Up to you, your money, do with it what you please.

Now my question to you: had I (or another member) written the same story as you, and then said that we tipped the guy 200 baht, how many losers do you think would reply crying that "you're ruining Thailand" and/or "I can't compete with that, don't tip them or they'll expect it from me too?" How many losers would insist on telling some other guy how (not) to spend his money?"

=====

How many losers? Me plus a lot of other losers. Same answer to both questions.

Do you have any other questions?

Remember that you learn a lot by asking...

[cobra]

Again, over-tipping does not insult

Actually it most certainly does in certain cultures and certain situations where it is not customary to tip.

Oh really Jing,

Your generosity is well noted,

Lets review:

You tormented us post after post on the hardships of paying an extra 5 baht on the bus because you were not Thai,

I offered to give you the change out of my ash tray to make you whole again if you would just quit whining about it and the inhumanity of the Pattaya Baht Bus monopoly,

Then you informed us that Thai vendors / shop owners were publicly calling you cheap and if that was meant as a direct insult (which as you found out it was),

Yet in another post you indicate you never pay retail (plane tickets),

No offense, but I don't think we need to worry about you ever over-tipping,

To continue to be held in a favorable light (westerners as a whole), I'll continue to over-tip to make up for you, your welcome.

[Jingthing]

Cobra, I meant tipping in appropriate situations. In certain cultures you tip certain people by their job, in others you tip other people by their job, and yes you could create embarrassment and insult by tipping the wrong people depending on the culture. This isn't controversial. Its a fact.

I will not respond to your other unbalanced slurs mixed with fabrications, but glad to have a fan!

Edited November 27, 2007 by Jingthing

[JetsetBkk]

After 4 hours in the same pub / club, and I get check bin and they bring the change, it is never the same person who has been serving you all night so I will leave 20 Baht in the folder.

I will seek out the lass who has given me good service all night, chatted a little if she has time, and generally been good and give her 100 Baht.

In my local bar in bkk, at closing time any of the lovely lasses can check your bin and come back with the change on a silver platter. (OK, stainless steel.) But I try to make sure only the girl who has been serving me all night does the "check bin" and I hand the tip to her - I put it in her hand. That means it goes in her pocket and doesn't get shared out to all and sundry via the tip "kitty". If I leave change on the silver platter, it goes into the "kitty" to be shared out.